Child Sacrifice in Ancient Israel

Child Sacrifice in Ancient Israel, Volume 1, provides a scholarly examination of one of the most disturbing religious practices condemned in the Hebrew Bible. This work of biblical commentary and history analyzes the reality of child sacrifice within ancient Israel and Palestine. By synthesizing archaeological, epigraphic, and biblical evidence, the author identifies three distinct types of sacrificial rites, each serving a different historical purpose and function within these ancient Middle East societies.

This study of religion and biblical criticism also explores the diverse rhetorical strategies used by biblical writers to condemn these acts. While the Old Testament consistently rejects the practice as abominable, the text reveals significant disagreements among writers regarding why these rites existed and why they were forbidden. This reference volume offers a detailed social science perspective on the intersection of indigenous tribal customs and the evolving moral framework of the biblical tradition.